DISCLAIMER: The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-1, the goa'uld and all other characters who have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of the people who made them up. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.

A Snake In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush

Part twenty-four

Several hours later Sam spotted two familiar shapes sitting at the side of the road. 'Hello, looks like Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c are waiting for us,' Sam called back to Daniel as she pulled the car in behind theirs.

'What took you so long? We've been here half an hour,' Jack complained.

'We stopped for breakfast, sir,' Sam told him as she and Daniel got out of the car leaving Clare asleep in the back.

'How's she been?' Jack asked.

'Well, when she's been awake she's talked virtually non-stop and has revealed a few interesting facts,' Daniel answered cryptically.

'And?' Jack used his "I'm waiting" voice, the one that mean that if Daniel didn't reveal all within the next thirty seconds he would live to regret it.

'Oh, just that Qu'ilar was working for himself and a friend, allied themselves to various system lords to improve on their position, tried to fool us into doing their dirty work for them, just the usual,' Daniel said casually.

'I should have know better - stiffed again by the damn' goa'uld!' Jack exclaimed, prevented from saying anything further by Clare getting out of the car to join them.

'Good morning,' Jack greeted her, noting her dazed appearance. 'Sleep well?'

'Have I been asleep?' Clare's voice was hesitant. 'I can't remember. Do you know something? He was stupid to think he could use you to do his work for him. You're too clever for that. Serves him right.' For the first time, there was a hint of emotion in her voice before she resumed the dreary monotone she'd been using earlier. 'You know, those bright lights from the Map of the Worlds were beautiful to begin with, but that was just to get his attention, make him focus on them to allow the transfer of information into his brain. Then Sar'akan would use that device I found to transfer the information into their own…their own…what's the word? It's on the tip of my tongue…' she frowned, trying to remember the word.

'Computer?' Daniel supplied.

'That's it, computer,' Clare smiled at him vaguely. 'All those pictures contained so much information. You know the one we used to get that…thing…with the plans for the…the…thing to make you better, it told me where I had to go, what I had to look out for. I even knew that Sam and Teal'c and Jacob would be affected but I was too busy looking out for the…the…place…stone place…where it was….and how beautiful the….thing….protecting it was, and I just wanted to be there. I could've have watched it forever. Then the next one, it showed a planet called…called…it's on your…your computer thing…and when you get there you'll find that…that just the other side of the gate there's a…a…what is it again, I can see it, what is it, why can't I remember?'

She looked appealingly into the faces of her companions, looking for the answers that just would not come to her.

'Has she been like this all the way?' Jack asked.

'Sort of, but not exactly like this, Jack. She's been pretty coherent until now, this is different.' Daniel frowned.

'Sir, I think whatever they injected back there is making her talk, reducing the control she has over some of the memories that have been implanted,' Sam frowned as she spoke. 'I'm also afraid that by trying to remember them she's going to hurt herself. Remember when Dr Fraiser said that the information in her brain could cause an overload and make her brain shut down? Well, this could be the beginning. We can't allow her to carry on trying to think about these things, at least not without some more experienced help around.'

'Ok. Well, we're nearly at the cabin now. You follow on behind us, we have to stop to collect the keys but we'll spend tonight there and see what tomorrow brings. Dr Fraiser can get to us in less than an hour if we need her.' Jack decided. 'Just stop her from thinking too much.'

They got back into their respective cars and set off again. When Clare tried to start talking again, Daniel sidetracked her by asking about what movies she liked, the books she read, what she studied at school, why she decided to become a writer. Anything and everything to keep her mind away from the more dangerous subjects which could trigger a collapse.

She seemed a little brighter as she talked about more trivial issues, appearing to be taking part in a conversation rather than the monologue she had been speaking until then.

It was starting to get dark as they drew up in front of the cabin and they all got out, glad to stretch tired limbs after the long trip. Setting to work, they got their bags and the groceries they had picked up into the cabin and had soon sorted the sleeping arrangements.

Daniel cooked supper, beef goulash, hot and spicy and surprisingly good.

'Hey Daniel, you never told us you could cook this well,' Sam complimented the chef.

'Well, it's one of the few things I do cook, so make the most of it,' he returned.

'Anyone for cards?' Jack asked hopefully but received a negative response all round. 'What, you mean you'd rather watch some rubbish film than have a nice sociable game of cards?'

'It is Star Wars, O'Neill,' replied Teal'c, as if that explained everything.

'Well, if you call being sociable going off into a sulk when you lose, then I think I'd rather watch the film, thanks,' Daniel spoke up.

'I do not sulk,' Jack said rather grandly, ' I was merely regrouping for the revenge match, which, I might say I never had chance to experience as the rest of you ran away to bed. You were obviously too worried that you wouldn't get lucky again,' he shot back at them. 'What about you Clare, want a rematch?'

'Uh, no thanks, I think I'll just sit here and watch…' her voice trailed off as she stared vacantly at the opening sequence of the film.

'Uh, huh, you reckon?' Jack said, not believing for one moment that she'd make it past the first five minutes before falling asleep. 'You look pretty beat, why don't you head off to bed?'

'Yeah, in a minute. I'll just sit here for a while first.'

Ten minutes later Sam nudged Clare in the ribs to wake her up. 'Hey, you'll feel a lot better if you go to bed, you know. You'll only end up with a crick in your neck if you stay there.'

'Yeah, ok, I'm just going.'

Fifteen minutes later Sam and Daniel hauled her to her feet and got her up the stairs, Clare protesting all the while that she had just been going to go anyway.

'Course you were, we just thought you might appreciate a helping hand. Good night.' After Daniel left, Sam realised Clare was still sitting on the bed having made no move to get changed.

'You ok?' Sam asked gently.

'Yeah, no problem,' Clare mumbled, 'I'm just gonna sit here for a minute, then I'll…' not allowing her the opportunity to try that one again, Sam threw Clare's pyjamas at her and virtually forced the other woman to change into them and then climb under the bed covers.

'Good night. Give us a yell if you need anything.' Sam turned the light off, leaving the door open and returned to the others downstairs.

'Everything alright?' Jack asked, concern showing in his brown eyes.

'I don't know. Her tiredness and lack of energy may just be the after effects of the car journey and the drugs she's had, but I think we need to keep a close eye on her.'

Clare was sleeping restlessly. There were images and pictures and words whirling through her mind preventing her from sleeping and getting the rest she so badly needed. She was so tired she just wanted to fall into a deep sleep and forget all her troubles. She tossed and turned, trying to block out the images that kept partially forming in her mind, wanting to be spoken, but each time she got close to putting them into words she felt a sharp stabbing pain in her head.

Her eyes suddenly opened as she felt an overwhelming urge in her stomach causing her to leap out of bed and make a dash for the bathroom, crashing to her knees in front of the toilet bowl. Ten minutes later, she started to feel a little better and this time pleasantly tired as if she may now be able to get the sleep she craved.

Washing her face and hands and swirling her mouth out with fresh water, she headed back to her room. The hall seemed different, it was longer than she remembered and the walls kept moving. She took a few steps forward, then everything seemed to swim crazily around, the floor rushed up towards her and she reached for the bookcase on the landing to stop herself from falling. Too late, darkness swept towards her, enveloped her, and everything was still at last.

'What the…' As one, SG1 leapt up from their seats and up the stairs to find the source of the crash, Jack in the lead, to find Clare on the floor just outside the bathroom.

Sam quickly checked her responses and for any signs of injury. 'Her pulse is racing sir and I don't like her breathing, it's pretty shallow and laboured. I can't find any other injuries.'

'Can you get her back to bed?' Jack turned to Teal'c.

'Certainly.' With no effort, he swung the unconscious Clare into his arms and carried her the short distance back to her room, laying her gently on the bed while Sam pulled the covers over her when she saw her shivering.

'I think we've run out of options,' Jack said after some consideration. 'I'm calling Dr Fraiser.'

'But what about the NID?' Daniel protested.

'At this point I don't think it matters,' Sam told Daniel. 'If we don't get Clare the help she needs pretty soon, it won't matter if the NID get their hands on her.'